Biotronik has received CE mark approval for 3 tesla (T) full-body scans with its latest range of magnetic resonance (MR) conditional pacemaker systems, including single- and dual-chamber pacemakers from the Edora/Evity/Enitra series.

Biotronik’s ProMRI pacemaker portfolio was previously approved for 1.5T full-body scans. With 3T full-body scans compatibility, radiologists can offer pacemaker patients additional imaging options. Approval for full-body scanning with 3T makes it is possible to scan areas of the body that are typically off limits for pacemaker patients, including the breast, heart, abdomen and spine.

“As 3T MRI becomes increasingly prevalent in the management of a variety of diseases, it is vital that pacemaker patients also have access to this invaluable mode of imaging,” says Matthias Schmitt, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, UK. “Thoracic imaging at higher field strengths has improved significantly in recent years, allowing 3T MRI to take on a significant role in cardiac imaging for events such as cardiac perfusion, cardiac toxicity and myocardial infarction, where visualisation is key in guiding clinical decision-making. With more options for cardiac imaging, we can strive to improve care for patients with pacemakers.”

In addition to benefitting from cardiac imaging, pacemaker patients are able to undergo ultra-high field MRIs for a variety of comorbidities, such as cancers or neurological disorders that require in-depth tissue examination. Three-tesla MRI is often the preferred modality for brain imaging, for example, in cases of multiple sclerosis, brain tumours and complex vascular brain imaging.